In the name of ‘Freedom of Speech’
By Syeda Qudsiya Mashhadi
Category Archives: Takmeel-e-Pakistan
So what it will be Pakistan? Peace or ‘Peace Talks’?
By Syeda Qudsiya Mashhadi
How to actively contribute for #Kashmir Cause?
By Syeda Qudsiya Mashhadi
Marking 27th October as Black Day for Kashmir
بسم اللہ الرحمن الرحیم
اَللّٰھُمَّ صَلِّ عَلٰی مُحَمَّدٍ وَّعَلٰٓی اٰلِ مُحَمَّدٍ
By Syeda Qudsiya Mashhadi
27th October 2013 marks the 66th year of Indian invasion and occupation of Kashmir. Kashmiris all across the world observe Black Day every year on this day to jolt the world’s conscience and to remind the international community of their responsibility regarding the rights of Kashmiris. Kashmir was a Muslim majority state and had a natural tendency to accede to Pakistan but the Hindu Raja gave into the pressure by the Indian government and on 27th October 1947 Indian troops landed in Srinagar and forcibly occupied Jammu and Kashmir in total disregard of the partition plan of the Sub-continent and Kashmiris’ aspirations. Since that catastrophic day, Kashmir, the heaven on earth, has turned into a living hell for the sons and daughters of this great land who live in a perpetual state of terror, torture and subjugation.
At that time, Quaid-e-Azam took a firm stand regarding Kashmir issue and stated in clear terms that no compromise could be reached regarding the lives of Kashmiris and they should have the right to self-determination. On 5th January 1949, the UN Security Council through its successive resolutions nullified Indian invasion and occupation of Kashmir. It also approve:
- · a ceasefire,
- · demarcation of the ceasefire line,
- · de-militarization of the state
- · and a free and impartial plebiscite to be conducted under the supervision of the World Body.
Although the ceasefire and demarcation of the ceasefire line was implemented, the de-militarization of the occupied territory and a free and impartial plebiscite under UN supervision remain unimplemented to date.
The hearts of Pakistanis beat with the Kashmiris as they have always considered Kashmir spiritually and physically a part of them. In the past, Pakistan had always put Kashmir on the top priority in any kind of negotiations with India but India always sidestepped this issue, never accepting any responsibility and unfortunately this dispute has not reached any meaningful conclusion. It saddens me to say that even the government, political parties and media of Pakistan have put Kashmir issue on the back burner for the last 12 years, which is reprehensible and unfortunate. Now it is high time that Pakistani nation raises its voice for their Kashmiri brethren. The recent escalation in LoC violations by the Indian Army is also an unpleasant reminder of the affliction of our Kashmiri Muslims. If we Pakistanis will not raise our voice for them, then who will? After all, it our moral obligation as well as a matter of survival for Pakistan’s own existence as Quaid-e-Azam had called Kashmir Pakistan’s jugular vein. How is it that the enemy is strangling our jugular and we remain silent spectators and willing victims?
In this dismal picture, the arrival on the scene of the first lobbying group for Kashmir in Pakistan is truly a ray of hope for Kashmiris all over the World. Since its launch two months ago, Youth Forum for Kashmir is actively promoting Kashmir cause in Pakistani Media and Social Media and marks all national holidays by holding events that display support for Kashmiris. On this 27th October as well, young Pakistanis and Kashmiris come together in Islamabad to mark as Black Day the 66th anniversary of India’s criminal invasion and inhuman occupation of Kashmir. Pakistani celebrities and YFK members will hold a walk and session of Q&A for Kashmir in the heart of Jinnah Avenue, Blue Area, Islamabad. This will be a message of hope from Pakistanis to the brave Kashmiri youth in Indian-occupied Kashmir who face the ruthless Indian occupation army every day. It is time that Pakistani leadership also ends its passiveness and stands shoulder to shoulder with the Pakistani youth who are giving moral support and encouragement to Kashmiris.
It is high time also that Pakistani media plays its part in raising its voice for Kashmir dispute and demonstrating that they stand for Truth, Integrity and Justice and no amount of external or internal pressure can make them hide the plight of Kashmiris from the world. May the long night of oppression and torment in Kashmir, end soon.
Let’s mark 27th October as Black Day for Kashmir. Remember, the World is watching.
Failed Pakistani Democracy
By Syeda Qudsiya Mashhadi
Altaf Hussain; Godfather of Karachi, resident of Edgware
Salute to Great Mujahid, M. M. Alam
A great Muslim Mujahid, pride of Pakistan, Air Commodore M. M. Alam departed from this corporeal life on 18th March 2013 at the age of 78. He was born on 6th July, 1935 in a well-educated family of Calcutta, British India. After completing his secondary education from Government High School, Dhaka, in 1951, M. M. Alam joined PAF in 1952 and was granted commission on 2nd of October, 1953. A hero of the 1965 Pakistan-India war, M.M. Alam, downed nine war planes in the aerial fighting. His record remains unbeaten. 7th September 1965 was the day when M. M. Alam rewrote the history of Air Warfare by setting new records while defending Pakistan’s Airspace against the aggressors. He shot down 5 Hawker Hunter fighters of Indian Air Force, in air-to-air combat by shooting down five Indian aircrafts in less than sixty seconds, the first four within a span of 30 seconds only. For such an awe inspiring feat of gallantry, M. M. Alam was awarded Sitara-e-Jurrat and also became the first and only “Jet Ace” in one mission. He retired in 1982 as an Air Commodore.
I never had the honour of meeting the great soul that M. M. Alam was, but what I learned about him from the people who had been close to him made me realize that he was not just a war hero as we have been brought up to believe. An acquaintance of M. M. Alam said about him, “M. M. Alam is a dervesh and a faqeer whose dua for Pakistan is accepted with Allah (swt).” This is the religious and spiritual dimension of M. M. Alam that we rarely see people writing about. Once M. M. Alam was asked about the secret of Allah’s special blessing on him; the reason he was given great respect and honour due to his monumental feats. M. M. Alam replied that for him PAF and Pakistan were his Ishq [true love]; it was not just a job for him. Even during Ramazan, in the scorching heat of the afternoon, he would sit inside his plane practicing aiming the guns so that he would not miss a single fire when the time came. It is a fact, that whoever has truly loved this Pak Sarzameen and done his duty to the utmost, Allah has given him glory here and in the hereafter. With the limited fire-power of his Sabre F-86, he shot down 5 planes in a minute. Such feats are only possible when you are zeroing your guns in unbearable heat, discarding all the comfort. This is true Ishq and Junoon which brings great honour and glory.
He was a humble person and he never let fame and success swell his head, if anything it increased his humility and faith in the Almighty. Once when a student [Aqib Khalique] asked him to explain to the young generation of today how he managed to shoot down five enemy aircraft during a dogfight in less than a minute, which is a world record to date, M. M. Alam sahib replied:
“I don’t like praising myself but I will just like to say that it was just the sheer motivation, determination and utmost courage in me and my fellows which gave us the power to tackle an enemy much larger than us in every proportion. In array of gunshots and thundering of bombs we just didn’t know how to stop. There was something pumping inside our hearts known as honour.”
When he was asked about the difference between today’s generation and the one that created this ideological state, he said:
“The difference is massive. At the time we and as an individual me too had an inspiration, an invisible belief, extreme determination and a sense of upheaval that whether we live or die we will create Pakistan. We had a vision for Pakistan and for us it was like something we dreamed of day in and night out, Pakistan was and is and will always remain the name of an ideology, a dream, a wish and an aspiration that drives and accelerated the thoughts of masses.
At that time me and my young fellows aspired to join the armed forces or the civil service of Pakistan unlike today’s youngsters who wish to be a part of some international firm situated outside this great land. Our youth as a whole is confused and divided today among ethical and social lines. The generation belonging to the elite class generally doesn’t think about this country and are more busy in improving their personal lives, furthermore those living under the poverty line fight a battle every day for a chunk of meal which they shouldn’t be blamed for. We are in need of a change like never before. A REVOLUTION!”
He believed that every single Pakistani was responsible for Pakistan’s destiny and had to work towards achieving that noble objective. He said:
“Revolutions and major changes across this globe have always been brought by those who had an empty belly or half-filled one, so I expect the middle class youth of today to bring that long awaited shift. But that doesn’t mean that young people of upper class and others can’t work or don’t possess the abilities to be a part of that. They have much more resources then those who are inferior to them in many ways. I am not against students going abroad for further studies as even our religion has ordained us to do whatever is takes to gain knowledge.
0.1 Million Chinese study in American universities but did that make them American? Did that cause them to stop thinking about their nation? The answer is surprisingly NO. They come back to their homeland to contribute in whatever way possible. Every single one of us should first try to be a better Pakistani and must pledge not to contribute in any action against morality. Be it voting for a corrupt leader on ethical grounds or compromising your national interest for the sake of your own interest in any way.
“There might be hundreds of innate leaders present in today’s society of ours but the only thing that’s lacking is the courage to speak against evil. We should have it, not having which might cause us to lose the freedom that we as a nation possess today.”
When the student asked him what message he would like to give to the young generation and what would he predict about the future of the great state, Pakistan, he replied:
“I will like to conclude by saying that our younger generation has more potential and the resources as compared to the youth of 1947 when Pakistan was created but the only thing lacking is sheer willpower to make a change. They must make a difference on every level possible. We only need the right intentions to make a difference and the political leadership which we could easily find in our own general populace.
How is that possible that we fail at finding a bunch of honest people? Pakistan was made for a reason; it consumed more than a million lives and countless loss of belongings in the creation of it. I just cannot believe that it will be destroyed or whatever the West’s propaganda is about its future.
It will survive and a revolution will come and this corrupt, ruthless and brutal elite will be overthrown by the masses. Justice will prevail InshaAllah, hopelessness is disbelief according to our religion. The younger generation should care about the country that has provided them with all the well-being and freedom of action that they have today. Our youth must rise as it’s now or never. It’s up to them to decide whether they select to be buried among those people who got demolished due to their hibernation.”
What beautiful words indeed! InshaAllah we will make Pakistan what M. M. Alam had envisioned it to be.
Pakistan Zindabaad! Pak Armed Forces Paindabaad!
An Open Letter To All Pakistanis – From a Kashmiri Brother
Assalaamualaikum, May mercy of Allah be upon you and your nation.
I am an ordinary person from India Occupied Kashmir. I through this letter am addressing you on behalf of my Kashmiri brethren. We in Kashmir watch cricket very keenly. Reason for our love affair with cricket is not only in sports but we primarily follow cricket just because Pakistan plays it.
We do not recognize any Tendulkar or Dhoni as sport icons but consider Afridi as our sporting hero no matter whether he performs well or fails. This is not our love for Afridi alone which makes us to cheer for his team but this is our love for his team which makes us to cheer for him. After Afridi’s would be retirement we will find some other icon in your team to cheer for. This love for Pakistan keeps us cheerful and moving all along in despair and pain. We know, your country is going through a rough patch. You all are very angry over the state of affairs in Pakistan. Corrupt politicians, corrupt media and enemy funded ‘liberals’ are hell bent to destroy Pakistan. Every day bomb blasts, sectarian strife and target killings have created a lot of frustration in your minds.
Do you know, how much pained we feel when we hear about these tragic incidents in Pakistan. Your TV channels give a lot of air to negativity after every such incident. So called ‘liberals’ on TV channels and newspapers question the farsightedness of Alama Iqbal and Qayid e Azam in creation of the Mamlikat e Khudadaad, Pakistan. It hurts alot when we see Pakistanis cursing and abusing Pakistan.
One thing is venting out your anger against the enemies of Pakistan who want to destroy it from within and another is just cursing Pakistan for its misfortunes. We most of the times see the later scenario. My dear brothers and sisters, cursing Pakistan is tantamount to thanklessness towards Allah. We Kashmiris know what Freedom means. Since you have not tasted any slavery you do not know the value of Freedom. You all have freedom without a struggle. You got a free Islamic country by birth by default and that is the reason you do not value its worth. How would you understand what being a slave means. Ask us how it feels to be occupied. We have given our young lads for freedom. Our dead died nourishing the dreams of freedom which they saw coming through Pakistan.
Abusing Pakistan is blasphemous for we believe in its divine creation.
Look how we suffer in absence of Pakistan. We do not pray for long lives of our sisters but only pray for the safety of their chastity. Do you know more than 10,000 sisters of ours were raped and molested by Indians just because we yearn for freedom. Our mothers and sisters go through the hell everyday to protect their chaste bodies. It is no less than a Jehad for them. We do not dream about big careers and lavish lives, we just pray for our lives. More than 120000 men have fallen to Indian bullets and torture in Kashmir in the last 20 years. Should I mention about thousands of half widows whose husbands were arrested and made to disappear or should I give you a narrative about mass massacres.
I do not want you to be in distress and sorrow, so I will not present our ordeal in detail to you. I know you are already in trauma watching the depressing situation of your own country. You know, you have an impartial judicial system in Pakistan. You should be proud of that. Compare our situation to yours. We have been given by our occupier a system which does not believe in Justice for all. We live in a system which believes is judicial lynch mob mentality exclusively meant for Muslims in general and Kashmiris in particular. Innocent Muslims are sent to gallows to satisfy Hindu Conscience.
In Kashmir if you get arrested don’t rely upon any judicial recourse to achieve your superficial freedom. Laws have been devised in such a way that Courts are subservient to the state. Courts are an extension of police and army. Overall, a Muslim just lives but has no life. And you say Pakistan is a failed state. Brothers and sisters, it has never failed you but you are failing it. For us a failed Pakistan is far better than a successful occupier.
We know the value of Pakistan for us. Let everything be sacrificed for Pakistan, lives included. We know without Pakistan what would be the fate of Muslims in this region. Our request to you is that instead of cursing the Pakistan curse the enemies of Pakistan who have implanted nincompoops over it to govern it. These people do not serve you, they only serve their masters. Tools of tyranny like flawed democracy and satanic secularism have been imbibed into your minds. These are your biggest weak links. Instead of complaining, show resistance towards your enemies.
Fight them on. Your jugular vein (sheh rag) is always with you . Fight India to save Pakistan, for India wants to destroy your existence. Who knows this better than us. We watch them plan your destruction everyday. For the sake of those who consider Pakistan a dream yet to come true, don’t break this dream prematurely. Let the dream come true. Let the dream come true. Thank you,
Yours
A Kashmiri
Introduction and analysis of the system of Khilafat-e-Rashidah
Jihad fi sabilillah, Quaid-e-Azam and our present leaders
Our beloved Quaid-e-Azam
There is a controversial statement attributed to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammed Ali Jinnah that “Pakistan was established with the first Muslim stepping on the coastal lands of Sind.” The controversy in this statement is due to the disputed claims of whether or not it was ever articulated by the Founding Father of the Pakistan. Without going into the details of the controversy, the statement indeed is reflective of the ideology of Pakistan. In this article, we are discussing the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammed Ali Jinnah with regard to one of the most prominent aspect of Islamic Ideology, i.e. Jihad fi Sabeel Allah. It will also help ease our over-ambitious secularists who spend their time and wealth to symbolize Quaid-e-Azam as someone who stood for an independent homeland for Muslims of sub-continent (as this can’t be denied), in order to live in the similar manner as they used to live in the pre-partition India under the British Raj by following a refined version of Anglo-Saxon constitution enabling Western Democracy. Similarly, the so-called Rightists who are despicable towards the idea of Pakistan since its inception and strongly believe that the person we know as Quaid-e-Azam was actually a Kaafir, would hopefully realize it one more time that the way they are tuned to look at this world needs to be refined, to be on the right side of history, or remain on the losing side, as always.
After the conclusion of World War 1, when the whole West conspired to establish the illegitimate state of Israel on the soil of Palestine which used to be under Islamic rule for centuries, the only notable Muslim voice that opposed the British led Western alliance raised from British India. Allama Iqbal and Quaid-e-Azam led the Muslims of India to one of the most distinguished effort against the creation of Israel [1]. This incontestable fact illustrates the vision, these two most prominent personalities had, i.e., the Ummah beyond the concept of modern Nation State and the singularity of Muslims as global entity.
Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah with Grand Mufti of Palestine in Cairo – 1946
It was this very vision which was at work during Indonesia’s war of independence in early 1940s too. Indonesia, the most populated Muslim nation, formally known as Republic of Indonesia announced its independence on 17th August 1945, just few days after the surrender of Japan in World War 2 in the wake of horrendous nuclear attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The newly born Republic instantly confronted military threats to its very existence from British troops that arrived on its soil as a contingent of the Allied Forces to disarm the Japanese. Dutch troops also seized this opportunity to regain control of the former East Indies. The British troops that were officially assigned to the task of repatriating Allied prisoners of war, assisted the Dutch troops indirectly in their neo-colonial agenda.
Bendera Pusaka Sang Saka Merah Putih(The Sacred Red and White Heirloom Flag), the first Indonesian flag, is raised on 17 August 1945.
The war between Indonesian and British troops started in November 1945 and in the heat of fighting, British Commander felt the need of reinforcement from regional base. At that historical juncture, Indian Subcontinent was still part of British monarchy while final negotiations were underway for Indian freedom. Being most significant and closest British colony from Indonesia, the Indian army was used by British command as reinforcement for Indonesia. However, in India, emotions were high, political settlement for the Indo-Pak freedom was in the final stage, leaders from Indian National Congress and All India Muslim League were striving their best to gain as much geographical ground as they could. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammed Ali Jinnah could have tolerated the move of British Raj to send Army personnel as reinforcement in Indonesia, after all he was more than 65 years of age with terminal tuberculosis, had passed an extraordinary time of decades old struggle for the rights and freedom of Muslims of India and was very close to achieving his objective of gaining independence of the first ever ideological state for the Muslims after the creation of State of Madina-e-Munawarra 1300 years ago by Sayyedi RasoolAllah (S.A.W). But he preferred otherwise; instead of only focusing on his mission, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammed All Jinnah raised his thundering voice of protest against the colonial atrocities in Indonesia and gave a clarion call for support to the Indonesian struggle for independence.
It is not clear as to how many armed personnel joined British contingent in Indonesia from British India and also, what the ethnic and religious divide of the reinforcement was. But it is very apparent that from among them, a group of 600 Muslim soldiers of British Indian Army played a very crucial role, they rebelled from the British command and joined the armed struggle against colonial designs of European powers. They fought shoulder to shoulder with their Indonesian brothers in faith and almost 500 out of 600 Mujahideen achieved martyrdom [2]. The question here is who motivated these British soldiers to turn into Mujahideens and encouraged them to die with dignity in the way of Allah instead of committing the grave sin of oppressing fellow Muslims as part of the colonial army?
The answer to the above question might come as surprise to our fellow seculars and to the section of clergy which never acknowledged the sincerity behind the life long struggle of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammed Ali Jinnah. On 17th August 1995, the Government of Indonesia awarded the highest honor Adipura to the Founding Father of Pakistan, Mohammad All Jinnah and the Government of Pakistan [3] for inspiring the Muslim soldiers of the British Indian Army to support the freedom struggle of the fellow Indonesian Muslims against their own command. On the other hand Indonesia’s support towards Pakistan in the 1965 war against India never forgotten by Pakistan. Until now, Indonesia’s support still considered one of the most valuable contributions and noted in the history of Pakistan. This historical journey has helped to shape an emotional relationship between the two countries, which can be enhanced into a more substantial relationship.
The interesting fact is that Pakistan was not even an entity on the map when these brave 600 Muslim Mujahideen showed their loyalty to their Creator; then why were these soldiers considered Pakistanis and why was the Government of Pakistan awarded the highest honour of Indonesia along with Quaid-e-Azam? This fact would resolve another point which is fundamental to the foundation of Pakistan and as highlighted earlier at the start of this article, i.e., the basis for Quaid’s resolve to struggle for an independent homeland of Muslims in South Asia. For Quaid-e-Azam, Pakistan existed even before 14th August 1947. He acted and lived his tenure as a true pluralistic leader of the Muslims of South Asia without any discrimination of ethnicity, sect, tribe and locality. The Muslim soldiers of British Army considered Quaid as their Supreme Commander and complied with his wishes and desires by treating them as orders. The day of 14th August 1947 was just a formal initiation of a romantic journey of the Islamic spirit, which we call Pakistan.
The most profound point declared from this above historical fact is the understanding of the concept of Jihad by Quaid-e-Azam and the tactical measures he directed to perform this role. In essence, he utilized a group of Mujahideen, capable of performing the obligation of armed struggle to support the oppressed fellow Muslims. This answers another current issue about the use of Mujahideen groups in areas where Muslims are fighting the freedom struggles.
Pakistan has been the fore-runner in reviving the spirit of Jihad globally since its formal establishment in August 1947 as per the vision of Quaid-e-Azam. Be it Arab-Israel wars, Russian-Chechen war, Bosnia-Serbia conflict, Afghan Jihad or the Kashmir cause.
Pakistan has tried to execute its role in helping the oppressed Muslims where ever it could, with its limited resources and frail leadership, it has always unfortunately had. The present ruling elite, the opposition and those aspiring to take the leadership of Pakistan in the name of justice, change and religion are now openly calling it a historical mistake of the country to govern the obligation of Jihad [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]. No one can deny that some serious miscalculations and errors occurred in running this obligation of Jihad by those who were in authority at those respective times. The effects of these mistakes are evident till date on our socio-political fabric. But instead of rectifying those mistakes and prioritizing Jihad-fi-Sabeel-Allah as the main driver of Pakistan’s foreign policy, our elites from all walks of life, specially politicians and bureaucrats are openly advocating to disband Jihad to support oppressed Muslims on national and international media.
We warn these rulers, leaders and people of authority not to betray the sacrifices of Ummat of Sayyedi Rasool Allah (S.A.W) and the struggles of Quaid-e-Azam. The time is not far when the traitors of the precious Muslim blood would be held accountable. On the Day of Judgment, Allah will not forgive those who call for the cease of Jihad and they will be in the deepest shame in front of the Pakistani martyrs in Indonesia, Kashmir, Afghanistan, Chechnya, Bosnia and in other parts of the world.
References:
[1] – http://www.allamaiqbal.com/publications/journals/review/oct91/5.htm > Iqbal and Jinnah on Palestine by Dr. Ghulam Ali Chaudhry from Iqbal Academy
[2], [3] – http://www.kemlu.go.id/karachi/Pages/AboutUs.aspx?IDP=1&l=en > A brief available on the website of Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Karachi about the historical relationship between the two brotherly countries.
[4] – http://www.arabnews.com/node/217636 > Musharraf banned organizations for Jihad in Kashmir
[5] – http://tribune.com.pk/story/231877/nawaz-sharif-gets-it-right-on-india/ > Nawaz Sharif speaking at SAFMA conference in support of friendship with India by declaring that we have same culture and eating habits and heavily criticised the Afghan policy of strategic depth as obsession.
[6] – http://www.thefridaytimes.com/beta3/tft/article.php?issue=20121012&page=4.1 > Harkatul Mujahideen’s statement on Zardari’s Kashmir policy: “Musharraf betrayed the Kashmiris,” he said, adding that “President Asif Zardari’s policies had been even worse for jihad in Kashmir. He played Holi with the blood of the Kashmiris by granting India the Most Favored Nation status and forging trade ties with our eternal enemy,” Fazlur Rahman Khalil of Harkatul Mujahideen.
[7] – http://www.zemtv.com/2012/12/08/imran-khan-full-interview-and-qa-in-india-agenda-aaj-tak-dec-7-2012/ > A full Imran Khan interview in Indian channel Agenda Aaj Tak
[8] – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=St97E6XIwAE > Imran Khan’s proposed solution on Kashmir
مدینہِ ثانی 